Conversations with Brit & Grit

Hi Grit

I thought our readers might be interested in an update on the situation with regard to our hostages in Iran. As we could have predicted, the Iranians have upped the war on words today, again by using the hostages. This time it was Nathan Thomas Summers who was coerced into admitting that the group were in Iranian waters. In contridiction of these statements, the UK government has released a map of the groups location at the time of the incidents.

This apparently is based upon GPS evidence and clearly shows that the detention took place within Iraq waters and, as such was a violation of international law. Similarly, they are breaching international human rights with their treatment and humiliation of the hostages as the letters ostensibly written by Faye Turney clearly shows. Today these letters were also released. I have republished them here in their entirity, so please forgive me for the length of this post my friends.

The First Letter, released March 29:
Dear Mum & Dad,
I am writing to you from Iran where I am being held. I will try to explain to you the best what has happened. We were out in the boats when we were arrested by Iranian forces as we had apparently gone into Iranian waters.
I wish we hadn’t because then I would be home with you all right now.
I’m so sorry we did because I know we wouldn’t be here now if we hadn’t. I want you all to know that I am well and safe. I am being well looked after, I am fed three meals a day and I’m in constant supply of fluids.
The people are friendly and hospitable, very compassionate and warm. I have written a letter to the Iranian people to apologise for us entering into their waters.
Please don’t worry about me. I’m staying strong. Hopefully it won’t be long till I’m home to get ready for Molly’s birthday party and with a present from the Iranian people.
Look after everyone for me, especially Adam and Molly, I love you all more than you will ever know.
All my my love,
Faye xxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Second Letter, released March 30:
Representative of the House of Commons.
I am writing to inform you of my situation. I am a British Serviceperson currently being held in Iran.
I would like you to know of the treatment I have received whilst here. The Iranian people are kind, considerate, warm, compassionate and very hospitable. They have brought me no harm, but have looked after me well. I have been fed, clothed and well cared for.
Unfortunately during the course of our mission we entered into Iranian waters. Even through our wrongdoing, they have still treated us well and humanely, which I am and always will be eternally grateful.
I ask the representatives of the House of Commons after the government had promised that this type of incident would not happen again why have they let this occur and why has the government not been questioned over this? Isn’t it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?
Faye Turney, 27/03/07

The Third Letter, released March 30:
To British People
I am writing to you as a British service person who has been sent to Iraq, sacrificed due to the intervening policies of the Bush and Blair governments.
We were arrested after entering Iranian waters by the Iranian forces. For this, I am deeply sorry. I understand that this has caused even more distrust for the people of Iran and the whole area in the British (sic).
The Iranian people have treated me well and have proved themselves to be caring, compassionate, hospitable and friendly. For this I am thankful.
I believe that for our countries to move forward we need to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and leave the people of Iraq to start re-building their lives. I have written a letter to the people of Iran apologising for our actions.
Whereas we hear and see on the news the way prisoners were treated in Abo-Ghrayb (sic) and other Iraqi jails by British and American personnel, I have received total respect and faced no harm.
It is now our time to ask our government to make a change to its oppressive behaviour towards other people.”
Faye Turney, 27/03/07

To provide proof that these were written by Faye, the following is a part copy of the original third letter.

I have highlighted in italics and bold certain phrases within these letters. As an Englishman, I am in no doubt that no English born person that I have ever met would couch their words in this manner. To me this is definite proof that these letters are false and being written by an Iranian who has a low command of English, although they have tried to legitimise them by including personal messages.

I ask two questions. What is the UK government doing about this issue? Secondly, where are the human rights campaigners, such as Amnesty International and the UN, when citizens of a Western country are abused in this manner?

the Brit